Training Table -- Penn State (Week 11)

One thing that every Christian needs is accountability. Whether it’s a friend, a spouse, a co-worker, or whoever, accountability is the lifeblood of our growth in Christ. It helps keep us or point us in the right direction.

Imagine if Penn State’s football program, including coaches, players, administrators, etc., had accountability. Imagine if they would have held each other accountable each time they came to a difficult decision. Imagine, if we all, as Christians, did that.

If we as Christians did that and sought God’s guidance, the frustration and disappointment that was evident in the handling of the Penn State situation would be nearly non-existent. It would just be a matter of doing what we know is right.

When faced with difficult situations, seek guidance from a fellow Christian, and pray and seek God’s guidance. It will reduce the hurt and sorrow we so often feel when we fail to do these things.

—Brett Honeycutt, Sports Spectrum

Tuesday

“He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity.” Proverbs 2:7

Using Sound Wisdom

Proverbs says that wisdom is always at our fingertips. It’s there for the taking because God stored it up for us.

James 1:5 reiterates this by saying all we have to do to attain wisdom is ask: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

The world, though, usually likes to rely on man’s wisdom. God, who they say is this unknown being they can’t see, can’t help them (they insist). He doesn’t exist. He is silent. He doesn’t care.

But He is very alive, and so is His word.

When faced with tough situations like the Penn State football situation, where things were unknown and known, stories were rightly and wrongly reported, things were told and covered up, and there were failures on both sides, it would be nice to have access to the wisdom that Solomon had.

But as Christians we do. All we have to do is ask. God won’t fail us. His promises are sure and right.

Next time you’re faced with a tough situation, remember to ask for wisdom in dealing with it. And in doing so, you will avoid the heartache of acting unwise.

—Brett Honeycutt, Sports Spectrum

Wednesday

“The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.” Proverbs 15:24 (NKJV)

Acting Wise

I won’t pretend to know Jerry Sandusky or the reason he did what he did. The sexual abuse was unthinkable. Unimaginable. Wrong.

But I do know the things he did were avoidable, if only he had sought God.

As the verse above says, “The way of life winds upward for the wise.” Their wise acts point them to righteousness, to truth, to God.

But the end of the verse is telling. It alerts us to the consequences of someone who doesn’t act with wisdom. It tells us that their lives will be ruined if they continue to act foolishly.

The opportunity to commit heinous acts isn’t tempting to anyone at first. It’s a slow, gradual chipping away at someone’s thought process because they continually refuse to act with wisdom—the kind of wisdom that God offers.

Remember to seek God so that your life points people upward and turns them “away from the hell below.”

—Brett Honeycutt, Sports Spectrum

Thursday

“Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.” Psalm 25:5

Walking In Truth

Imagine if we asked God for this type of guidance every day. Imagine if we walked in truth constantly. Imagine what kind of world that would be.

Imagine if former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky had prayed Psalm 25:5 each day, or even Psalm 43:3, “Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!” Imagine.

Unfortunately, though, we don’t live in a perfect world. We live in a world with too much sin. We live in a world where unthinkable acts are committed, like the numerous instances of sexual abuse by Sandusky.

Before you say, “Yeah, but I would never do something like that.” Read Galatians 6: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted…For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” It’s a reminder that we can be tempted into unthinkable acts if we’re not careful to remain constantly in tune with God and His desires.

—Brett Honeycutt, Sports Spectrum

Friday

“Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right.” Psalm 106:3

Justice Served

Some will say that justice was served in the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse trial when he was sentenced to enough years that will keep the 68-year-old former Penn State coach in prison for the rest of his life here on earth.

Some will disagree and instead say justice could never be served when the lives of families and children were ruined. They will argue that no amount of punishment could make up for all the evil they endured.

In this case, though, a jury found that Sandusky should pay for his crimes. They found that justice, in this case, would be to have Sandusky away from society so that he couldn’t commit these acts again.

Those jurors, and the people who helped put Sandusky behind bars are the ones Psalm 106:3 refers to as “blessed” because they “maintain justice.” They are the ones who did what was right. Are you that type of person? Are you someone who seeks to do the right thing all of the time, or just some of the time?

—Brett Honeycutt, Sports Spectrum

Weekender

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

Going Long

Read Matthew 5:14-16 and mediate on the image of being a light to the world. Our lives should be lived in such a way that there is no question we are followers of Christ. If we aren’t living this way, do what Hebrews 12:1 says and “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

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